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Journalism of Courage
National Lok Adalat held at Pune District and Sessions Court on September 9, disposed of as many as 1.10 lakh pre-litigation and post-litigation cases. This was the highest number in the state for any district.
A total of 2,88,563 cases were taken up for settlement in Pune district, of which 1,10,192 cases were settled, involving an amount of Rs 396 crores.
As per information, 133 benches were constituted in Pune district to resolve cases in the Judicial proceedings. Out of the total disposed of cases, 79,956 were pre-litigation cases (cases resolved before any formal legal complaints in regular courts) and 30,236 were post-litigation cases.
Secretary of Pune District Legal Service Authority (PDSLA), Sonal Patil said that the primary goal of Lok Adalat is to quickly and cost-effectively readdress the wide range of civil, criminal and compoundable cases, which reduces the burden on the formal judicial system.
“One judge often handles a maximum of 15 cases in a month, and disposal of 30 thousand post-litigate cases in a day has not just saved time and money but has lightened the load of cases long-pending in courts,” she said. As per information, the National Lok Adalat in Maharashtra, with 1,182 benches, successfully adjudicated 4,97,271 cases, including 1,18,108 post-litigation and 3,79,163 pre-litigation cases.
Patil said, “Most cases drag over several years. Initially, a case commences in a lower court then the party unsatisfied with the decision appeals to high court, then to Supreme Court. Our single resettlement case in Lok Adalat had saved the duration and amount of money required to resolve three cases in the future.”
She added that the state and judiciary work on principles of equity, fairness and justice. Voluntary negotiations between parties in Lok Adalat first saves expenses made by parties on lawyers. Secondly, a resolution of these long-running cases prevents delay in justice.
“People get reasonable opportunities to come to a mutually agreeable solution, thus preventing a long running dispute. It was a win-win situation day,” the PDLSA secretary said.
